Time Out Beirut

Last night, the Lebanese government declared victory in it's month-long battle against Fatah al Islam, an Al Qaeda inspired militant group that staged an uprising in the Nahr al Bared Palestinian refugee camp in north Lebanon. I'm sorry I won't be here to cover this story for you: I'm off today for a week to see my family in New York. However, in the interest of self-presevation, the delay may work in my favor: the Lebanese army says that it may take a while for them to clear the camp of mines and booby traps, and are urging the camp's residents not to return yet.

Hopefully, there will begin to be some answers in the coming days to all the questions that have surrounded this strange and disastrous event. How was Fatah al Islam able to last for so long against the Lebanese army? How were they able to stockpile so many weapons and so much ammunition? What happened to the Palestinian civilians stuck inside the camp during the siege? And where is Shaker Al Absi, the leader of Fatah al Islam, who remains at large?

--Andrew Lee Butters/Rafik Hariri Airport